America’s best days lie ahead
This line came from Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett in his annual letter (26 February 2011) to shareholders for Year 2010.
To the prophets of doom, Warren Buffett has this to say: “The prophets of doom have overlooked the all-important factor that is certain: Human potential is far from exhausted, and the American system for unleashing that potential – a system that has worked wonders for over two centuries despite frequent interruptions for recessions and even a Civil War – remains alive and effective.”
In the FY2010 letter (26 February 2011), Warren Buffett said that last year – in the face of widespread pessimism about our economy – “we demonstrated our enthusiasm for capital investment at Berkshire by spending $6 billion on property and equipment.”
Here is a great excerpt from his letter:
“Money will always flow toward opportunity, and there is an abundance of that in America. Commentators today often talk of ‘great uncertainty.’ But think back, for example, to December 6, 1941, October 18, 1987 and September 10, 2001. No matter how serene today may be, tomorrow is always uncertain.
“Don’t let that reality spook you. Throughout my lifetime, politicians and pundits have constantly moaned about terrifying problems facing America. Yet our citizens now live an astonishing six times better than when I was born. The prophets of doom have overlooked the all-important factor that is certain: Human potential is far from exhausted, and the American system for unleashing that potential – a system that has worked wonders for over two centuries despite frequent interruptions for recessions and even a Civil War – remains alive and effective.
“We are not natively smarter than we were when our country was founded nor do we work harder. But look around you and see a world beyond the dreams of any colonial citizen. Now, as in 1776, 1861, 1932 and 1941, America’s best days lie ahead.”
Recommended reading:
(1) The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America, Third Edition
